Paint colours
This of course is a never ending topic for discussion. Overriding this is the matter of personal choice.
I confess to choosing a photo that appeals to me and then try to replicate the colours in that.
Neither of the two above photos show a particularly strong green in the RAF Dark Green. I like this because both give a well worn feeling. The contrast in tone of the Dark Earth is most striking. The ailerons have obviously been replaced – the whole aircraft is scruffy I love it.
I am going to use the PO-S decals and this aircraft did 100 missions + and was almost equally war worn as the pic the Lancaster VN-N shows
A small detail
This shows certainly how the port side of the aircraft looked. Note that the green on the aft of the aircraft does not show as RAF Dark green as the paint manufacturers make it.
There was no RAF Dark Green forward of the cockpit – frequently ignored. One question, which someone may know the answer to… was the Dark Earth painted all over first and then the Dark Green masked over the top? It would certainly explain some of the variation in tone.
Here are three RAF Dark Green swatches shot in daylight. There is some colour sway in them with the Alclad2 one looking the least green.
Painting starts
Firstly I am building up colours using undercoats to produce varied tones in the final coat. This will be done by using very fine sandpapers to take a bit off the topcoat after each application.
Oops good start! The top notch masks whipped off the paint. Actually, at this stage I don’t really mind as it creates tonal differences. These will not be as exaggerated as shown in the pic.
Top Notch masks in place, even here the Dark Earth looks darker than the previous pic.
And another, rather garish, version taken immediately after the one above !!
The RAF Dark Green goes over the lighter exposed patches. There will then be tonal differences sprayed on and the dirt will be worked in, lovely!
The tailplanes at about stage 3 out of 6. This gives some idea of how all that digging for the oil canning effect looks under a coat of paint prior to weathering.
The chipping on the upper surface appeared once again by accident, but, it is opportune as this is where the engine oil and fumes stain the tailplane.
The paint was vulnerable to the petrol fumes.
Once again the rear aileron has been replaced and a slightly different shade is applied.
It is beginning to be fun!!!
Stuart Mackay says
Sir, I admire your dedication with the oil canning which will surely take such an outstanding model to another Level!
I could, quite easily run out of superlatives for the work that you have done so far!
Truly amazing, and I can hardly wait for each installment of this epic build!
Max Williams says
You’ve made a wonderful job of the oil canning effect Julian, it should look most realistic under a coat of paint.
RossPaton Paton says
Amazing. You tempted to put the transparent side on it?
Julian Seddon says
Hi everyone ! Thanks for the comments. When I started this I was only thinking in terms of the of the fuselage and wings. But as I looked at more and more references I realized that the stress to the aircraft included everything !! The engine nacelles, u/carriage doors,bomb doors etc. this has all taken much longer than I had anticipated.
I am only finishing up what can be seen.
In answer to you Ross two reasons for not using that transparent sides
a. I have only finished the cockpit everything else internally is not touched. The a/c I am modelling P – OS has all the side windows (barring the radio ops) painted over
b. The would have negated the work on stressing the airframe !
Julian Seddon says
some how in (b) above I have missed out the “transparent sides would have negated ” sorry !!!
Michael Chilestone says
There’s some amazing work there Julian; you have more patience than I do!
I assume the site header on the home page is this model as well? I was particularly struck by the weathering on the bombs: they really look as if they’ve spent a few weeks sitting outside on the bomb dump.
Chapeau!
Julian Seddon says
Thanks Michael, yes the header is the same model.
I tried to make the aircraft look as though it has been sitting next to the bombs for a similar time !!
JS
Christopher Woolford says
In 1967 or early ’68 a noted historian, Professor Alan J.P. Taylor, told me that historians are not custodians of the truth. He said historians make interpretations of verifiable facts. The truth, he said can only be told by creative artists. To illustrate his point, he told me to read Len Deighton’s ‘Bomber’. I did and I will never forget it. The bomb bay of your model is likewise chillingly memorable. Well done.
Julian Seddon says
Thank you Christopher. I must say that the word “chillingly” hadn’t occurred to me, but now, bearing in mind what it represents, the contents of the bomb bay of a Lancaster was chillingly fearful to those on the receiving end of it.
Your quote was well extracted !!
JS
Bruce Anders says
An absolutely fantastic build of the model Julian. It has been a joy to watch it’s progress. I sold mine upon the news HKM would be releasing a 48 version. Your build almost makes me regret it
Julian Seddon says
Hi Bruce, I wouldn’t regret it too much !! This was a grind in many ways as, at first, I had no real concept of the amount of oil canning I was faced with. Almost every part of the air frame showed signs of wear, right down to the fasteners on the engine covers !
Looking back it was worth it but it took some resolve to continue from time to time !!
I am sure that HKM will release a very good 1/48th scale version although I have not, as yet, heard about it
Thanks for your comment !
JS